Terminal for sale and drawing of lottery tickets

ABSTRACT

A terminal for the sale and drawing of lottery tickets containing a control unit, a set of game information carriers, an output unit for game information carriers and a memory unit for code combinations. The control unit is a logical block equipped with a USB port for a software FLASH drive, and is connected to a memory unit for code combinations and the output unit, allowing for placement of a changeable set of game information carriers in the form of a roll with successively placed lottery tickets. The terminal may be equipped with the following: a reader for game information carriers connected to the output unit; a game display unit connected to the logical block; a game access module in the form of a coin or cash input unit or non-cash payment device connected to the logical block; or a GPRS modem for control over continuous terminal operation parameters.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a national stage application and claims the benefit of the priority filing date in PCT/IB2009/008050 referenced in WIPO Publication WO/2011/004215. The earliest priority date claimed is Jul. 6, 2009.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

None

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

None

STATEMENT REGARDING COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL

Portions of the disclosure of this patent document contain material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to collective games, in particular, cash prize drawings through lottery terminals, and may be applied to lotteries, sweepstakes and other forms of gambling.

Known is a lottery type terminal that comprises a body, a system unit inside thereof featuring two-way communication with a processing center of the lottery system, payment input units featuring verification of genuineness of payment means, payment means output units, a receipt printer, a lottery ticket printer with a lottery ticket output feature and data in/out devices. Devices for data input/output consist of a touch screen and a unit for coupon or lottery ticket input, authentication and identification (Russian Federation Utility Model 78344, year 2008).

The known technical solution is problematic because of its terminal design complexity and low performance characteristics due to mandatory connection with an external control system center.

There exists a lottery sale terminal featuring a cash input unit, an output unit for a lottery information carrier and reader (Russian Federation Utility Model No 69288, year 2007).

One flaw of this lottery sale terminal is its low safety standards because it has no memory unit for the preliminary recording of information on outstanding lottery tickets.

There also exists a game machine that includes a control unit; a reader for game information carriers; an output unit for game information carriers; a game combination maker in the form of a box containing a set of game information carriers and featuring a selection of a game information carrier, such container being connected with the output unit for game information carriers; and a code combination memory unit connected with the control unit and reader. Here, the game information carrier is made in the form of a lottery ticket with a game information field covered by a protection layer, which can easily be removed by a lottery draw participant,, and a code field with identification information covered by the protection layer, which can also be easily removed by a lottery draw participant (Russian Federation Utility Model No 76735, year 2008).

The known technical solution is problematic because of its terminal design complexity and because it is difficult for a lottery draw participant to to determine the win amount. Likewise, for service staff it is difficult to determine when the memory unit must be recoded and the game information carriers replaced. Such difficulties result in the low performance characteristics of this terminal.

The claimed technical solution simplifies the design and expands design functionality.

The technical result for a lottery terminal that includes a control unit, a set of game information carriers, an output unit for game information carriers and a memory unit for code combinations, is achieved by a control unit in the form of a logical block equipped with a USB port for a software FLASH drive that is connected to a memory unit for code combinations and an output unit for game information carriers that allows for placement of a changeable set of game information carriers in the form of a roll with successively placed lottery tickets.

Furthermore, the terminal may be equipped with a reader for game information carriers that is connected to an output unit for game information carriers and to a logical block.

Furthermore, it may be equipped with a game display unit connected to the logical block.

Furthermore, it may be equipped with a game access module in the form of a coin or cash input or non-cash payment device that is connected to logical block.

Furthermore, it may be equipped with a GPRS modem for control over continuous terminal operation parameters.

SUMMARY

This invention relates to collective games, in particular, to cash prize drawing through lottery terminals, and may also be applied to lotteries, sweepstakes, and other games of chance. It has an advantage over known designs because of its simplified design for lottery ticket sale, increased speed of service and higher degree of self-regulation. Moreover, the functional capabilities of the terminal can be expanded.

The inventive terminal for sale and drawings of lottery tickets contains a control unit, a set of game information carriers, an output unit for game information carriers and a memory unit for code combinations. The control unit is a logical block equipped with a USB port for a software FLASH drive and is connected to a memory unit for code combinations and the output unit for game information carriers. This allows for the placement of a changeable set of game information carriers in the form of a roll with successively placed lottery tickets. The terminal also may be equipped with any of the following: a reader for game information carriers, which is connected to the output unit for game information carriers; a game display unit connected to the logical block; a game access module in the form of a coin or cash input unit or non-cash payment device connected to the logical block; and a GPRS modem for control over continuous terminal operation parameters.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a functional block diagram of the inventive lottery terminal design.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The terminal includes a control unit in the form of a logical block 1 with a USB port 6 for a software FLASH drive, a removable set of game combination carriers in the form of a roll 2 with successively placed lottery tickets 3, an output unit 4 for game information carriers allowing for replacement of the roll 2, a memory unit for code combinations 5. A reader 7 for game information carriers, preferably in the form of a scanner that can be inserted into the output unit 4 for game information carriers, or allow for an external connection, and is connected to the logical block 1. A game display module 8 connected to the logical block may be made in the form of a display, in particular, a touch screen display. A game access module 9 is made in the form of a coin or cash input or non-cash payment device connected to the logical block 1. The terminal is equipped with a payment means output unit 10. The terminal may be equipped with a GPRS modem 11.

Terminal operation is as follows: the design of the terminal allows for lottery ticket drawing with the simultaneous display of game processes with the help of a lottery terminal display unit.

Mode of terminal operation: the terminal permits drawings of common paper lottery tickets using the terminal's display unit(s). In this case, the lottery ticket output unit is equipped with a scanner able to read information encrypted within a game field of a lottery ticket.

Placement of game information onto a lottery ticket: data that associate a paper lottery ticket with its electronic version is encrypted using a unique bar code, and the win amount is covered under a scratch layer of the paper lottery ticket.

In the process of identification of a lottery ticket bar code, the terminal software accesses the memory unit for code combinations 5 (it is actually the storage for an electronic lottery ticket issue). In other words, the system accesses the electronic version of a lottery ticket. On the basis of the result obtained for a lottery ticket, the terminal display unit shows (e.g. in the form of lottery drum) three screen balls that represents a three-number combination. The resulting combination of numbers corresponds to the win table value; which is equal to the lottery ticket win amount. The win table is shown on the terminal display unit or placed on the terminal itself.

The drawing result, i.e. the amount of win, is shown on the terminal display unit and then credited to the terminal account.

Usually the lottery terminal, where a drawing is performed, is designed in the form of type c vertical body with at least one embedded display unit (screen), a lottery ticket output unit (output unit 4 for game information carriers), a printer for receipts and checks, a cash input unit with cash output feature, a coin input unit, a hopper, a GPRS modem, a safety unit, an uninterruptible power supply, a logical block, a COM extension board, an I/O board and input facilities.

The terminal software is stored on a FLASH drive connected through a USB port. The lottery ticket drawing and sales process is displayed with the help of this software. It should be noted that the display is for the lottery participant's entertainment and to increase the excitement of the lottery drawing process.

The lottery terminal has no software control means for lottery drawings and no permanent connection to a central server, but it can control parameters important for continuous terminal operation. Such parameters are controlled through an embedded GPRS modem. The operation starts when lottery tickets are inputted into the terminal. A lottery ticket roll is placed into an output unit for lottery tickets (output unit 4 for game information carriers). Together with the placement or change of a lottery ticket roll, the memory unit 5 for code combinations reloads the lottery ticket issue. The output unit 4 for game information carriers (lottery tickets) is equipped with a scanner that reads the unique bar code on a lottery ticket, feeder, ticket/roll separator, or marker for paid lottery tickets.

It should be noted that the lottery ticket roll and output unit for game information carriers with electronic copies of tickets may have the whole issue or a part thereof.

Initially, the terminal operates in demo mode and shows lottery or advertisement information. The lottery drawing starts after inputting the payment means through a cash or coin input unit sufficient to purchase a lottery ticket. Such payment means are credited to the terminal account, and the value equal to the input amount is shown on at least one display unit. If there is enough money to purchase a lottery ticket, a START button becomes active, which assists in purchasing and drawing a lottery ticket.

Lottery tickets are drawn with a simultaneous display of the drawing process on a display unit of the electronic terminal. Such display is for the lottery participant's entertainment and for increased interest in the lottery drawing process.

Lottery drawing displays may be varied. Preferably, it is in the form of a rotating lottery drum with three screen balls that show numbers or symbols gathering into a specific combination. If a preferred display method is used, three balls show a number combination. Information showing the correspondence between the combination and the win amount should be demonstrated on the display unit or body of the terminal. Such balls naturally may show some symbols with specific numerical values. In this case, a special table must be provided that defines correspondence between numerical values and specific symbol or combinations thereof.

When the display unit shows a rotating drum and balls, the system accesses the local database of the lottery terminal, obtains the result of a lottery ticket drawing, and makes a mark in the electronic database to indicate the purchase of that lottery ticket. The drawing result corresponding to the relevant lottery ticket win is transmitted to the display unit.

Lottery tickets may be purchased as long as the amount on the terminal account is sufficient for one lottery ticket. If such amount is lower than the nominal value of one ticket, the lottery terminal displays a correspondent message and offers to input additional money or stop the lottery ticket drawing and withdraw the balance from the terminal account.

After a series of successive lottery drawings for the first lottery ticket (hereinafter the “lottery session”), if there is enough money on the account, and if START button is pressed, the terminal automatically selects the next available lottery ticket on the ticket output unit's roll. The ticket is moved to the scanner area for the information to be read, which is hidden in the game field of the ticket. When the electronic terminal display system reads information from the ticket game field, it accesses the memory unit 5 for code combinations and selects that electronic version of the lottery ticket that is similar to the paper lottery ticket. The electronic version of the lottery ticket contains information on the win amount, which is transmitted to the display unit.

The lottery drum, which is shown by the display unit, starts rotating when money is inputted, and the balls within the lottery drum constantly mix. When the terminal receives the information on a lottery ticket win from the storage module, the terminal transmits such information to its display unit, and the rotating drum displays three balls. Each ball shows a numerical value, and three of them represent a three-number combination. That combination corresponds to the win amount of a lottery ticket and to the relevant value in the win table displayed on the terminal body (or on the terminal display unit). The drawing result, i.e. win amount, is shown on the terminal's display unit and thereafter credited to the terminal account. If there is no win for that lottery ticket, the combination of numbers corresponds to no value on the win table displayed on the terminal body or on the terminal display unit.

Lottery participant may stop lottery drawing at any time by pressing a button and accepting the winnings or balance of the terminal account.

The amount of winnings is delivered immediately through a cash output unit. If such amount is greater than the sum stored in the cash output unit, the terminal prints a special receipt equal to the value of the terminal account. With the assistance of this receipt, money may be obtained from a lottery manager or representative.

When the display unit shows a combination that corresponds to the lottery ticket win value, the output unit 4 for the game information carrier (lottery tickets) marks the paper lottery ticket and separates it from a primary lottery ticket roll. The marked lottery ticket is output through a special tray, from which lottery participant may take the ticket, or it may be transferred to a discharged tickets storage bin.

The following parameters must be monitored for continuous operation of the lottery terminal: information on transactions and events at the terminal, discharge of lottery tickets, control over the terminal power supply, and so forth.

Several such terminals may be connected to at least one local server, and several local servers may be connected to a central lottery server.

The claimed terminal has an advantage over known designs through its simplified process of lottery ticket sale, increased speed of service, and higher degree of self-regulation. All of these substantially expands the functional capabilities of the terminal. 

1. A terminal for lottery tickets sale and drawings, including a control unit, a set of game information carriers and a memory unit for code combinations, wherein the control unit is in the form of a logical block, which is equipped with a USB port for a software FLASH drive, the control unit being connected to a memory unit for code combinations and an output unit for game information carriers that allows for placement of a changeable set of game information carriers in the form of a roll with successively placed lottery tickets.
 2. The terminal of claim 1 further comprising a reader for game information carriers connected to the output unit for game information carriers and to the logical block.
 3. The terminal of claim 1 further comprising a draw display unit connected to the logical block.
 4. The terminal of claim 1 further comprising a game access module, in the form of a coin or cash input unit or non-cash payment device, connected to the logical block.
 5. The terminal of claim 1 further comprising a GPRS modem for control over continuous terminal operation parameters. 